Summit Ascent of an Icon: The Story of Lhakpa Sherpa

In Netflix's saturated lineup, nestled between countless series hits and film productions, awaits an unexpected gem: the admirable documentary "Mountain Queen." This production tells the unprecedented life story of Lhakpa Sherpa, a middle-aged Nepalese woman who now works far from the Himalayas' peaks at a Whole Foods in West Hartford, Connecticut. Lhakpa Sherpa has conquered Mount Everest ten times — more than any other woman. Her remarkable ascent from life in a remote village to the conquest of the world's highest summit is impressively depicted in this cinematic homage. In her hometown, locals marveled at the Chomolungma ("Goddess and Mother") peak as far back as the 1980s when the boom of elite mountaineering transformed the Himalayas. British director Lucy Walker once again delivers a gripping narrative against a breathtaking backdrop. She had already received acclaim for her empathetic portrayal of blind Tibetan youths braving their own Himalayan adventures in her 2006 documentary "Blindsight." In "Mountain Queen," Walker continues to show a remarkable knack for telling authentic and profound stories. The film addresses the economic reality of climbing and shines a light on Lhakpa Sherpa's beginnings as a porter, a role she qualified for by cutting her hair and pretending to be a boy. Walker adeptly showcases Sherpa's powerful and charismatic storytelling, leaving a lasting impression with her vibrant use of English. The darker aspects of Sherpa's life are also sensitively but powerfully explored, including her marriage to notorious climber George Dijmarescu and the domestic violence she endured, without overshadowing her admirable accomplishments. The film has minor weaknesses in staged emotional conversations with her daughters, Sunny and Shiny Dijmarescu, reminiscent of reality TV. Nevertheless, "Mountain Queen" captivates with its compelling blend of authenticity and depth. Lhakpa Sherpa's story becomes an inspiring documentary that, despite its modest screen presence, embodies the spirit of an epic tale.